<p>I went to UCLA for undergrad in CS&E Major, and currently attending Cal for grad. I have to prefer UCLA, but they both have their advantages/disadvantages.</p>
<p>At Cal, the learning environment is competitive, especially for engineering majors. That can be good and bad. It is good because it actually forces you to learn and know your materials well. I learned more things about my major than I ever thought possible.
Everyday is a learning experience, and if you want to learn everything about your major from the best faculty - then Berkeley is the place for you. However the downside to this is hard to maintain a good grade and have fun. (You can still have fun - but not as much if you had gone to UCLA). Berkeley itself is a pretty amazing yet interesting city. You walk down on the street and you can see a hobo spelling “**** bush” on the ground, or had the “happy happy happy” Chinese man hold his detailed sign as to why america’s screwed, or have a hardcore evangelical Christian explain to you exactly why you are going to hell … interesting experiences.</p>
<p>Now UCLA … I can tell you that the experiences I had there were absolutely the best of the best. Its academic programs are good and it is still competitive (but not as much as Cal’s). It is easier to maintain a good grade while having fun. The best part of UCLA is its location and the social experiences/opportunities it brings. Whereas in Cal, everyday is a new learning experience. In UCLA, everyday is practically a brand new day filled with amazing social experiences and opportunities that sure to last a lifetime. I made more friends here than I ever made before. UCLA’s location to Hollywood, Disneyland, Six Flags, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Bel Air, the beach, the desert, and etc … makes it a PERFECT place to spend the rest of your life in. You walk down the street and you can meet celebrities by the dozens. The first week I arrived at LA, I saw Dakota Fanning and her family walking down the Sunset Blvd, and I even asked her for an autograph. There is a movie premiere almost every week, and most likely you will find yourself on TV at least once in your 4 years. </p>
<p>So to sum it up, both UCLA and Cal are great schools. But I prefer UCLA just because of unique and fun environment there. I think the main reason I picked UCLA for undergrad (and this is hopefully true for all the people who picked UCLA over Cal or other prestigious colleges) is its location and its social environment - something that nowhere else can offer.</p>